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Can Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Cause Hallucinations?

Jun 26, 2011 | By Shannon George
Can Vitamin B-12 Deficiency Cause Hallucinations?
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B-12 is one of several important B-vitamins necessary for good mental health, among other important functions. Vitamin B-12 deficiency may result in psychiatric problems such as depression and, in severe cases, hallucinations. While B-12 is especially important for good mental functioning, a lack of other B-vitamins can also cause psychiatric symptoms, as can numerous health conditions. It is paramount that anyone suffering from hallucinations receive prompt medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.

B-12 Deficiency Symptoms

Severe B-12 deficiency may cause hallucinations, as well as other psychological side effects, including paranoia, confusion, depression, irritability and memory loss. B-12 deficiency may also produce less-pronounced psychological symptoms such as lethargy, reduced motivation and difficulty paying attention. Besides hallucinations and other psychiactric problems, a lack of B-12 can cause anemia, weakness, loss of balance and tingling or numbness in the arms and legs. If left untreated, B-12 deficiency may, over time, lead to permanent nerve damage and dementia, according to MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.

B-12 Deficiency Causes

A severe deficiency in vitamin B-12 resulting in hallucinations may occur due to a lack of B-12 in the diet or from having a health condition that interferes with your body's absorption of this vitamin. As most dietary B-12 is found in animal products such as meat and dairy, following a strict vegetarian diet may result in B-12 deficiency. Chronic alcoholism, having a digestive disease like celiac disease or Crohn's disease, or taking antacids over a long time may also prevent your body from absorbing enough B-12 from foods, potentially leading to B-12 deficiency. Additionally, many people lose the ability to absorb B-12 as they age, notes MedlinePlus.

Other Conditions Causing Hallucinations

While a B-12 deficiency may cause hallucinations, it is important to note that other conditions may also cause this symptom. Taking street drugs or even alcohol may result in hallucinations, as may psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and psychotic depression. Hallucinations may result from epilepsy, narcolepsy, and severe illness such as brain cancer or liver failure. In the elderly, several conditions, including B-12 deficiency-related disorders, may cause hallucinations. Among elderly patients, hallucinations are sometimes caused by non-psychiatric illnesses such as hypothyroidism or normal pressure hydrocephalus. Other causes of hallucinations in the elderly include dementia and Charles Bonnet syndrome -- conditions that have been associated with B-12 deficiency but may also be caused by other factors.

Prevention and Treatment

For most people, B-12 deficiency can be prevented by eating plenty of foods with this vitamin. Rich sources include eggs, meat, milk, poultry and shellfish. Strict vegetarians can get B-12 from dietary supplements or from B-12-fortified foods such as soy milk and breakfast cereals. For people with severe B-12 deficiency and hallucinations, vitamin B-12 injections may be required until any underlying condition causing the deficiency, such as alcoholism, has been properly treated. If B-12 deficiency has led to severe anemia, you may require lifelong B-12 injections. You should not take B-12 supplements or injections without first consulting your physician, however. If you have hallucinations or other severe psychiatric symptoms such as paranoia, it is important to seek immediate medical help.

References

Article reviewed by GlennK Last updated on: Jun 26, 2011

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